New Mexico's Kendall Williams reacts after making a 3-point basket in the first half against Boise State on Feb. 16, 2013, at the Pit in Albuquerque, N.M.

Written by

On the day the Wolf Pack basketball team opened practice last month, coach David Carter was asked if he thought the Mountain West would be a little less difficult this season than it was last year.

"I don't," Carter said. "Did somebody tell you something different?"

The MWC finished first in the all-important Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) last year and sent a conference-record five teams to the NCAA Tournament (where it ultimately flamed out). Despite the poor postseason showing, it was one of the most successful seasons in MWC history. ...